A four-year research trial (1999-2002) was carried out at the experimental farm of Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerche Agro-Ambientali “Enrico Avanzi” of Pisa University (Italy), in order to compare a conventional sunflower cultivation system with a no-till sowing technique. The aim of this open field research was to asses the possibility of introducing the no-tillage system for sunflower cultivation areas of Central Italy. Trials were performed on sandy-silty soils (1999 and 2001) and on clayey-silty soils (2000-2002). The conventional technique was based on ploughing to a depth of roughly 50 cm and on a seedbed preparation carried out by means of tined cultivator or rotary harrow. Sowing was performed by means of a 8-row precision pneumatic planter. Direct sowing was carried out by means of Gaspardo Tandem precision planter. It was equipped with on purpose made disks for chopping crop residues and opening the furrow, iron discs for furrow closure and rigid anchors for improving the seed deposition efficiency. Work chain operative characteristics and agronomic characteristics were assessed. Cultivation costs and gross revenues were evaluated. Direct sowing allowed sensible working time and fuel consumption reductions (-60% and -86% respectively), comparable yields and a relevant gross revenues increase with respect to conventional cultivation system.
No-till sunflower sowing trials in environments of Central Italy
PERUZZI, ANDREA;RAFFAELLI, MICHELE;GINANNI, MARCO;FONTANELLI, MARCO
2009-01-01
Abstract
A four-year research trial (1999-2002) was carried out at the experimental farm of Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerche Agro-Ambientali “Enrico Avanzi” of Pisa University (Italy), in order to compare a conventional sunflower cultivation system with a no-till sowing technique. The aim of this open field research was to asses the possibility of introducing the no-tillage system for sunflower cultivation areas of Central Italy. Trials were performed on sandy-silty soils (1999 and 2001) and on clayey-silty soils (2000-2002). The conventional technique was based on ploughing to a depth of roughly 50 cm and on a seedbed preparation carried out by means of tined cultivator or rotary harrow. Sowing was performed by means of a 8-row precision pneumatic planter. Direct sowing was carried out by means of Gaspardo Tandem precision planter. It was equipped with on purpose made disks for chopping crop residues and opening the furrow, iron discs for furrow closure and rigid anchors for improving the seed deposition efficiency. Work chain operative characteristics and agronomic characteristics were assessed. Cultivation costs and gross revenues were evaluated. Direct sowing allowed sensible working time and fuel consumption reductions (-60% and -86% respectively), comparable yields and a relevant gross revenues increase with respect to conventional cultivation system.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
